Azernews.Az

By Nazrin Gadimova

Georgian Dream's presidential candidate, Education Minister Giorgi Margvelashvili will win presidential elections in Georgia due October 31 outright in the first round, avoiding a run-off vote, Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili told a press conference in Tbilisi on July 3.

He also spoke about the priorities of present-day Georgia, prospects for the development of relations with the country's immediate neighbors, and economic projects, and also about his personal plans for the future.

Ivanishvili talked about recent developments at a meeting with journalists. According to him, the North-Atlantic Council and the NATO Secretary General's visit to Georgia are very important.

He also confirmed that he intends to leave politics a few days after Saakashvili steps down and new presidential elections are held.

"I am not going to rule the government informally if I leave politics," he said. "The main thing is development of institutions. As a member of the society, I will give remarks to the government, but God forbid us from informal leadership."

Ivanishvili also noted that the new government will not allow even a minor decline in US interest in Georgia.

"The new government will do everything to ensure that U.S. interest grows in Georgia as a partner and in any case would not allow even a minor decrease in it," Ivanishvili said.

Speaking about the development of relations with Russia, Ivanishvili said the conditions for a meeting of the top leaders of Georgia and Russia have not yet been created.

"We should bring the situation to a level making it possible to hold a meeting. This is my great desire. However, suitable situation should be prepared for this. The current situation is not good enough to talk about it yet," Ivanishvili said.

Touching on regional issues, Ivanishvili spoke about Georgia's relations with Iran, as well as Azerbaijan and Armenia.

Accordingly to Ivanishvili, Georgia continues to maintain friendly relations with Iran.

"We comply with the UN decision and do not give way to actions with regards to Iran banned by an embargo. However, we continue to maintain friendly relations with the country," Ivanishvili said.

In July 2012, the U.S. imposed sanctions against any kind of transactions with Iran's national currency, the rial. In May 2013, the U.S. also introduced the 'black list' of Iranian petrochemical companies. By imposing sanctions against Iran, the international community is trying to persuade the country to abandon its nuclear program.

Touching upon regional issues in the South Caucasus, Ivanishvili said that he regrets the current relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia.

"I was in Azerbaijan and Armenia and met with the top officials in an attempt to mediate, but there are big problems here," the prime minister said.